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Risks of Using Marijuana and Spice

Marijuana and Spice Risks | Turning Point of Tampa

As you can tell from the title, the purpose of this article is to outline the very serious risks people take when they use synthetic cannabinoids. If you don’t know this already, there are real and immediate risks to an individual’s mental as well as physical health from the use/abuse of fake weed, also known […]

Treatment vs. Incarceration

man in jail holding bars

We know that addiction is a disease, so does it make sense to put people with a disease in jail and expect them to get better? Although prison sentences may be appropriate for those trafficking in the sale of illegal drugs, countless studies agree that jail time does not deter drug or alcohol use and […]

The Latest on the Decriminalization of Drugs

drug decriminalization and legalization word cloud

While many U.S. citizens expressed outrage at talk of decriminalizing all drugs just a few years ago, over half the population now favors such a proposal. Most states have already legalized medical marijuana, and 15 states have legalized possession and use of limited amounts of recreational marijuana. Recreational marijuana is still illegal in Florida. Possession […]

What’s Driving the Increase in Adolescent Substance Use Disorder?

light bulb with drug abuse bubble depicting adolescent substance use

Most people begin using addictive substances like alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs, and tobacco during adolescence and young adulthood, according to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) statistics. By the time students are seniors in high school, NIDA statistics find: Almost 70 percent have tried alcohol About 50 percent have taken an illegal drug Almost […]

Turning Point of Tampa earns ASAM Level 3.5 Certification

CARF International and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) announced in June 2020 the ASAM Level of Care Certification nationwide. This certification addresses the addiction crisis by establishing processes for validation of treatment program capabilities, building industry transparency and increasing patient confidence in treatment services. Increasing patient access to evidence-based addiction treatment is critical […]

Update on Overdose Increases During COVID-19

coronavirus news headline with effects listed

Current data shows that more than 1.9 million people worldwide have died from COVID-19, including almost 370,000 Americans. While these are shocking numbers, they do not include the many people who have died from COVID-related mental health challenges. Experts believe the virus continues to contribute to drug and alcohol overdose deaths, suicide, and the exacerbation […]

Understanding Sugar Addiction

addiction written on sugar cubes

Many foods and drinks contain sugars, some that are naturally occurring and some that are added. Regular consumption of foods that contain added sugar can lead to cravings similar to those caused by drug addiction, and, according to many health experts, can pose a significant health threat. Manufacturers add sugars to some foods during processing […]

Addiction in Sports

defeated athlete depicting addiction in sports

Athletes face tremendous pressure to perform and win, sometimes at any cost. Some athletes turn to performance-enhancing drugs like steroids or amphetamines to gain a competitive edge. Others rely on illegal or prescription drugs to manage pain from injuries. Some seek to relieve pressure-induced stress through the use of alcohol, marijuana, or other addictive substances. […]

Has the PDMP Helped Curb the Opioid Crisis in Florida?

Rx prescription pad depicting the opioid crisis

The opioid crisis began in the 1990s and has since reached epidemic proportions. A 2018 U.S. government report found prescription or illegal opioid use contributed to most of the 67,367 drug overdose deaths in the United States in the surveyed period. Drug overdose death is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. One […]

Being a Veteran in Recovery

army veteran saluting

Veterans, especially those who experienced combat, have a higher rate of substance use disorder (SUD) than the general population. A 2013 report by the National Academy of Sciences found 44 percent of veterans returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced SUD, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other challenges. Homelessness, incarceration, and suicide are […]

Identifying Behavioral Signs of Drug Addiction

addiction sign

Drug addiction, known clinically as substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic but treatable disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking behavior that occurs despite negative consequences. Addiction is both a “complex brain disorder and a mental illness,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Addictive behavior can happen with illegal drugs like heroin […]

The Rise in Overdose Cases Since COVID-19

coronavirus news headline with effects listed

COVID-19 is not only causing widespread illness and death, but it is also increasing economic distress, social isolation, and anxiety, all risk factors for those actively using drugs or alcohol, and for those in recovery. Although drug overdose deaths in the United States decreased by about 4 percent in 2018, those numbers began to rise […]

Experiential Therapy for Addiction

forest illustrating experiential therapy

Experiential therapy guides clients in the use of expressive tools and activities to re-experience emotions tied to past situations and relationships. Through psychodrama, use of props, creative arts, music, guided imagery, equine or canine therapy, wilderness experiences, ropes course, or another experiential method, clients learn to identify, explore and release specific emotions. Unlike psychotherapy, which […]

Art Therapy for Addiction

colored pencils depicting art therapy concept

Art therapy encourages the use of expressive tools and activities to facilitate recovery from substance use and other mental disorders. This therapy allows clients to process negative emotions or traumatic events in a relaxed, less direct manner. Clients may choose to express their creativity through art forms like painting, sculpting, drawing, writing stories or poems, […]

Substance Use Disorder and Eating Disorder as a Dual Diagnosis

dual diagnosis profiles

Dual diagnosis, also called a co-occurring disorder, means a person suffers from both a substance use disorder (SUD) and mental disorder simultaneously. Although one or the other may have developed first, both disorders are now present. Either disorder can mask or worsen the symptoms of the other disorder. Eating disorders (ED) are one form of […]

Working in Substance Use Disorder Treatment During COVID-19

Addiction Recovery Puzzle

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) warns the current COVID-19 crisis presents special challenges for those with a substance use disorder (SUD). Increased anxiety coupled with social isolation increases risks for relapse. For treatment providers, maintaining both inpatient and outpatient treatment services, as well as support services, is critical for their clients and communities. […]

The Risk of Heroin and Synthetic Forms

Chemical formula of Heroin

Heroin is an illegal opioid drug that is highly addictive and widely abused. The drug is made from morphine, which is extracted from specific varieties of the poppy plant. Because heroin is fast acting and delivers an intense sense of euphoria, users can become quickly addicted. Under the Controlled Substances Act, heroin is classified as […]

Homelessness and Substance Use Disorder

homeless boy holding a cardboard house

On a single night in 2018, approximately 552,830 people were identified as homeless in the United States, according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Report on Hunger and Homelessness. A large percentage of these individuals also struggled with drug or alcohol use. The U.S Conference of Mayors asked 25 mayors to name the main reason […]

Turning Point of Tampa’s Response to Covid-19

As concern grows over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak all over the United States and the world, we are acutely aware of the need for increased universal precautions. The health and safety of our clients and staff are of the highest priority for us.  Our services are considered “essential” and we will continue to make our […]

What Is Equine Therapy?

woman riding a horse in equine therapy

Equine therapy is an experiential treatment method that uses the connection between people and horses to enhance physical or emotional healing. Different forms of equine therapy may be used depending on client needs. There are several different forms of equine-related therapy and treatment. These include: Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) Hippotherapy Therapeutic Riding Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) focuses […]

Understanding the Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use During Pregnancy

pregnant woman

There is no amount or type of alcohol, including beer and wine, that is safe to consume at any time during pregnancy. Drinking during pregnancy can damage the developing fetus, increase the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), and possibly cause a miscarriage or stillbirth. What are FASDs? FASDs refer to a group of […]

A Brief History of Narcotics Anonymous

NA Meeting Sign

James Patrick Kinnon, known as “Jimmy K.”, is commonly credited with founding Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in 1953 in Los Angeles, California, for the purpose of helping its members stop using addictive substances. At the time, Alcoholics Anonymous had been in existence for almost 20 years, gaining international recognition for helping its members stop using alcohol. […]